Combination table and bench



June 8, 11m.

c. E. BLOSSOM 2,321,177

communion TABLE Am: BENCHES File! Aug. 28. 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. g/gg'mg /g ogz.

ATTORNEY.

June 8, 1943; c, 5 BLOSSOM 2,321,177

COMBINATION TABLE AND BENCHES Filed Aug. 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wigPatented June 8, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION TABLE ANDBENCH Claire E. Blossom, Vassar, Mich.

Application August 28, 1941, Serial No. 408,648

3 Claims. (Cl. 155-124) This invention relates to a combination tableand bench structure especially adaptable for use in breakfast nooks andsmall kitchens, where floor space is limited, as well as in gardens andother outdoor spaces.

One of the prime objects of the invention is to design a combinationtable and bench structure in which the benches are hingedly connected tothe table to permit them to be swung up to folded position under thetable top, thus conserving space, facilitating cleaning operations, andproviding a structure readily adaptable for use in a limited space.

Another object is to design a table having combined therewith aplurality of seats or benches conveniently arranged when in extendedposition, and foldable with relation to the table so that they can bemoved as a single unit, thus forming a compact, attractive unit.

A further object is to design a simple, practical, and extremelyconvenient structure which is readily operable, and in which the benchescan be quickly and easily swung to folded or open usable position.

A further object still is to provide a combination table and benchstructure in which the front legs of the benches are supported on thetable legs when in extended position, the entire bench being mounted andsupported on said table legs when in folded position, thus formingstable, well supported seats when open, and a close compact assemblywhen in folded position.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consistsin the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fullydescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understoodthat changes may be made in the form, size, proportions and minordetails of construction, without departing from the spirit, orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view showing the benches or seats inextended position, the broken lines showing the benches swung inwardlyto folded position, the arrows showing the path of movement;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary, transverse sectional view taken onthe line 22 of Fig. '4 and illustrating the connection of the bench orseat leg to the table leg;

Fig. 3 is also an end elevational view showing the benches or seatsswung upwardly beneath the table top; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevatlonal view showing the connection ofthe front bench leg to the table.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which I have shownthe preferred embodiment of my invention, the character T indicates atable structure provided with legs I0 and a top H, these legsterminating in laterally extending feet portions l2 and to which thebenches or seats l3 are hingedly connected, and a longitudinallydisposed brace 14 serves to properly space and reinforce the legs.

The benches or seats I3 can be of any desired shape and style. They canbe formed with a back rest (not shown) if desired, and the end l5 can beof any desired configuration or design; and in the present instance Ihave shown these benches formed with front and rear legs I6 and I1respectively, the front legs being shorter than the rear legs, andmounted on the shouldered sections l8 of the table legs l2 when thebenches are in position for use.

Straps l9 are pivotally connected to the front legs l6 and the tablelegs I2 by means of bolts or equivalent members 20 and 2|, and it willbe obvious that the benches may be swung to position shown in brokenlines in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and so that they will be clear of thefloor, or they can be raised upwardly (see Fig. 2 of the drawings) andswung inwardly about the pivot point 2] to position as shown in solidlines in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and in which the rear legs I! rest onthe shouldered section N3 of the table. In either of these foldedpositions, the structure takes up a minimum of space; it can be moved asa single unit, because the benches are mounted on the table and arehingedly connected thereto.

The floor or space around the structure is also clear for cleaningpurposes, and the table proper occupies a minimum of space when thebenches v are swung to folded position, and it can be further movedabout as a single unit.

From the foregoing description, it will be clearly obvious that I haveperfected a very simple, practical, and economical combination table andbench structure, which is of neat and pleasing appearance, and in whichthe benches are mounted on and connected to the table so as to formbalanced level seats when open, and foldable to position entirely withinthe marginal outline of the table when in folded position.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, a table having legs terminatingin elongated laterally extending feet having depressed, shoulders ontheir upper edges, benches secured to said feet and formed with frontand rear legs, the front legs resting on said shoulders to dispose thetops of the benches horizontally when extended, said front legs beingshorter than the rear legs and being supported on said table feet whenthe benches are in extended position, and links pivotally connected tothe front legs of the bench and to the table feet whereby the benchesmay be swung upwardly and inwardly so that both the front and rear legswill be supported on the table feet when the benches are swung to foldedposition.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a tableformed with supporting legs terminating in elongated laterally extendingfeet having depressed shoulders on their outer upper edges, benchesconnected to said table feet and formed with the front legs shorter thanthe rear legs with said front legs resting on said shoulders to disposethe tops of the benches horizontally, when extended, links pivotallyconnected to the front legs of the bench and to the table feet at apoint intermediate their length to permit said benches to be swunginwardly and be entirely supported on and carried by said table feetwhen the benches are in folded position.

3. A combination table and bench structure comprising a table havinglegs terminating in elongated laterally projecting feet having depressedseats on their upper edges, each bench being provided with front andrear legs with the front legs shorter than the rear legs and resting insaid seats to dispose the tops of the benches horizontally whenextended, links pivotally connected to said front legs and to the tablefeet at a point spaced inwardly from the outer ends of said feet,whereby the benches may be swung upwardly to position the bench legs onthe table feet, with the rear legs disposed in said seats and supportingthe benches in upright position' entirely on the table feet when thebenches are in folded position.

CLAIRE E. BLOSSOM.

